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What makes a garden “modern?” In a general sense, modernisation is usually just the upheaval or revolution of an already established aesthetic, functionality, or mechanism. In short, it’s the arrival of the new “in” thing or trend.
So, what does a modern garden consist of? Is it full of LEDs and bright lights? Is it about technologically-integrated plants or complicated irrigation systems? How about putting up your flat screen in the garden? Surely that’s modern enough for most. Well, most likely, that’s a no. But, let’s walk the path of a modern garden and see how you can make your own.
Create Your Own Modern Garden
The idea of a “modern garden” would very much coincide with the “minimalist” concept or a futuristic house. Therefore, adornments and ornaments should be minimised to keep the theme going. Plus, the things that survive the culling process will sparkle brighter under the spotlight.
Know that even if you have finished completely redesigning your garden, the fun doesn’t stop there. It will all be for nought if the plants, decorations, and the lawn aren’t maintained well.
The lawn, especially, should be kept as sleek and polished as possible. Or else, your landscape will look like just every other garden. The proper tools are required to do any job properly. You could get a push mower, but maintaining a minimalist-looking garden is actually more work than the title lets on.
Thankfully, if sleek and symmetrical is what you want, self-propelled mowers do the trick as well as push mowers but with less effort. They work on a drive system which enables the instrument to move forward on its own when initiated; thereby reducing back-strain and muscle strain. This will bring you closer to your goal with less fatigue.
Contents
Because our minimalist garden isn’t in need of too many different objects or colours, the plant choice is even more critical. Plants must be appealing on their own to light up the garden.
While we fully respect that this is most definitely a personal choice, we have a few suggestions. These are as follows:
- Encephalartos Horridus (Eastern Cape Blue Cycad leaves)
- Succulents (a personal favourite)
- Aloe Vera Plants
- Viper’s Bowstring Hemp
- Chlorophytum Comosum
- Swiss Cheese Plant
- Garden Croton
- Aspidistra Elatior
- Rubber Fig
- Cycas Revoluta (Sago Palm)
- Devil’s Ivy
- Yucca
- Agave
- Dracaena
- Araucaria Araucana (Monkey Puzzle Tree)
- Sansevieria
- Bromeliads
- Plantain Lilies
- Echinops Bannaticus (Globe Thistle Flower)
- Philodendron
- Spiderwort
- Lily of the Nile
- Amaryllis
- Eryngium Cobalt Star (Sea Holly Plant)
For the majority trying to create a modern garden, succulents are the first thing that spring to mind. If this is true for you as well, you’ll find that looking after succulents and keeping them healthy is very easy. This is why they’re so popular among time poor millennials.
And of course, palm trees; the subject of every photograph of someone’s tropical vacation, are another great option. Should you be able to have one in your yard, you can hardly go wrong with this choice. However, knowing how to take care of it will become vital.
If you have decided to plant one, plan where in your property it will stand beforehand. Avoid an area with alkaline soil (soils with high pH). If you can’t avoid this, don’t fret. You can easily balance out the soil by applying sulfur.
Expect that the palm’s roots will expand over a wide region from its center-point (the tree). Therefore, the more natural nutrients it can absorb around the area, the better for the tree.
Subsequent to planting a palm tree, it needs supplemental watering until it has matured enough to hold its own. Try not to give the soil a chance to dry out totally for the first few months, but also, don’t give it a chance to stand saturated or you will welcome rot issues.
Cut away dead fronds (the leaf or leaf-like part of a palm) when its seen. In the event that you have to prune to control its size, just prune off the base to center fronds. We don’t want to end up toppling the tree so keep in mind the size you want, in consideration to its growth capacity, when purchasing. Estimate and re-estimate to make sure of your decision.
After the tree has matured and established itself, it will stand strong for millennia and will provide you with both beauty and shade.
Additional Accents and Details
● Water fountains
You don’t have to get the ones you usually see in the movies or at mansions; a small ornament will do. Regardless of whether the material is natural or man-made, the water’s flow highlights the serene-looking ornament and has a stylish impact on your garden.
There are a variety of materials you can choose from. Namely: galvanised steel, iron (rusted or otherwise), stainless steel, and ceramic in subdued hues. Your creativity is the limit for this one!
● Patios
Uncommon or “artsy” architectures are very much welcome in this category. Some might even argue that they are both vital and essential in a “modern” garden. You can use a wide array of materials as well. Among those that work with the theme are natural stone, glass, metal, and even wood.
Terracotta (a clay-like a type of earthenware) is an exemplary decision, as are pots produced using stone, wood, or metal. The abstract and unusual designs are invited to be the centrepiece of the garden. However, its beauty is only as good as its cleanliness. Therefore, when it’s time to clean up, consider pressure washing your patio as this method is far easier and quicker. Most surfaces can be pressure washed, but be sure to check first.
Theme / Design
The best thing to do to achieve the “modern garden” goal is to have a preconceived vision and then have it translated into an actual blueprint. In short, plan! In the olden days, you’re considered a “hardcore” gardener if you have all the types of plants in the world and you’re able to take care of all of them properly. While that is all fine and dandy, it’s not what a modern garden is composed of.
The theme here is continuity. The moment a visitor sees your landscape, the motif should immediately be obvious. A tip to accomplish this is to create an outline (whatever kind you’d like). But, the rule is to use the same type of plant throughout the shape. You can already tell a story using just this one technique.
Plant choice is up to your personal taste, but there are a few things you should consider; such as, do you know how to maintain that plant or flower? When do they bloom? Growing seasonal flowers will ensure that you have an even spread of colour throughout the year.
Plants must be aligned symmetrically. This, in itself, is already considered a decoration. As mentioned before, try to use the same types of plants. Moreover, if possible, a beautiful aesthetic is formed when they are cut or trimmed the same way. In contemporary patios, you’ll regularly discover plants in a nonstop line or with loads of room around them that enables them to be seen as individual components.
Enjoy And Stay Inspired!
It may not be easy at first, but never take your eyes off the prize! The end-goal is quite an esteem-booster. With hard work, dedication, planning, and proper execution relative to the plans, the final product will pay-off big time!
Stay inspired! With all the work and planning that is involved, it is easy to fall into the hands of doubt, fatigue, and laziness. However; push on forwards. As that will always be the only direction you should go.
Good luck and happy gardening!
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